Mourinho not taking Galatasaray return lightly
Monday, April 8, 2013
Article summary
As José Mourinho gave Real Madrid CF a 25% chance lifting the UEFA Champions League, a realistic Fatih Terim focused on Galatasaray AŞ's achievement in making the last eight.
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Galatasaray AŞ have it all to do to prevent Real Madrid CF's José Mourinho from maintaining his 100% record at this stage of the UEFA Champions League and making it to his seventh semi-final.
Down 3-0 from the first-leg, Fatih Terim's side are missing Dany Nounkeu and eight-goal Burak Yılmaz through suspension, and though the coach sounded a note of optimism, saying "anything is possible", he is more hopeful than expectant. "Anything is possible," he added, an adage repeated by José Mourinho as he cautioned against complacency.
Galatasaray
Fatih Terim, coach
When you analyse the 24 teams that have already been eliminated in the competition, Galatasaray's achievements can be better understood. Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world. We wanted to play football against Real Madrid and we did. We will play an entertaining game for our fans; the result will not be important. Galatasaray's targets never change. If there is a target to be achieved, then Galatasaray try to achieve it. With or without me.
I would like to thank all my players. Anything is possible in football but when you are playing against Real Madrid things are not so easy. Galatasaray will try everything. I am sure about the ambition and enthusiasm of my players. We have prepared ourselves for any kind of result. If Mourinho says he will be unhappy even with a 2-0 loss, I agree with him. He is the coach of Real Madrid. If I was in his shoes, I would think the same.
Our season shows we are going in the right direction: we will try to do even better next year. It is not over yet anyway. Our mission is to be successful both in Europe and the world. That is clear. Burak Yılmaz will not be playing tomorrow [due to suspension] so we have lost one of the most important players in the Champions League.
Weekend result
Saturday: Galatasaray 3-1 Mersin İdman Yurdu (Melo 61pen, Drogba 69 84; Burhan Eşer 3)
Muslera; Sabri, Gökhan, Nounkeu, Hakan; Melo; Hamit, Sneijder (Semih 46), Emre (Amrabat 46); Burak (Eboué 75), Drogba.
• It looked bleak for Terim's side against the league's bottom club when, already trailing, Nounkeu was dismissed on 30 minutes. Yet Felipe Melo converted a penalty, his first goal since last May, before Drogba's first strikes in eight games sealed victory. Selçuk İnan and Albert Riera were suspended.
Team news
The ever-present Nounkeu and top scorer Burak are suspended but Terim says Johan Elmander is ready if required for a timely return from a foot injury that has kept him out since the start of February.
In 2003, when I was coaching Porto, we played against the Turkish team Denizlispor and won the first leg 6-1 but saw a totally different team in the return [which finished 2-2]. The stadium was totally full and the atmosphere was totally different. We expect a sold-out stadium with a very intense environment here. Although the fans can be intimidating, my players and I thrive in that kind of atmosphere.
Before the quarter-final first legs, I thought all eight teams were equal. However, my view has changed. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern München are one step ahead of the others and I give each of these teams a 25% chance of winning the Champions League. If we lose 2-0 or 3-1 tomorrow, I won't return home happy. I want my team to win.
Weekend result
Saturday: Madrid 5-1 Levante UD (Higuaín 36, Kaká 39pen, Ronaldo 84, Özil 87 90+1; Míchel 31)
López; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Alonso; Callejón (Ronaldo 46), Kaká (Di Maria 57), Benzema (Özil 76); Higuaín.
• Gonzalo Higuaín's impressive volley set Madrid on course for their tenth win in 12 games (they drew the other two). Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 46th goal in as many outings for Madrid this season while Mesut Özil ended a run of 23 matches without registering for club and country with two late on.
Team news
Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos are suspended, while Kaká is out with a leg injury sustained at the weekend. Iker Casillas is fit again after breaking his left thumb on 23 January, returning to the bench on Saturday, but Diego López is expected to get the nod in goal. Mourinho says Raúl Albiol "may play instead" of Pepe if the Portugal defender does not recover from a hamstring injury.
Match fact
Mourinho has a 100% record in UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, having won at this stage with FC Porto (2004), Chelsea FC (2005, 2007), FC Internazionale Milano (2010) and his present club in 2011 and 2012.